A cold shiver speared through Saintcrow’s chest as Lanzoni’s last few words echoed from wall to wall. There was another sharp crack of thunder and then the world went suddenly, silently still.
Feeling as weak as a fledgling, Saintcrow tried to sit up, only to fall back, panting softly. He stared up at the priest. What the hell had Lanzoni done to him? Had it been a mistake to trust him? Hell, for all he knew, Mara and the priest were imposters sent by Elowynne.
Mara laid a slender hand on Saintcrow’s shoulder. “It’s all right,” she said. “Remember, I said you would be weak afterwards.” She bit into her left wrist and held it to his lips. “Take as much as you need.”
Saintcrow stared at the blood oozing from the twin punctures in Mara’s wrist. It was even darker than his own. Closing his eyes, he took hold of her arm and drank. Oriana’s ancient blood had been powerful, but it was nothing compared to Mara’s. At the first taste, he could feel her preternatural power flowing through him like a warm, cleansing river.
And he knew, somehow, that whatever magical incantations Elowynne had used against him were gone, washed away by Mara’s ancient blood and the miracle performed by the priest. Filled with her ancient power, he had no trouble sitting up this time. He smiled at Mara. Never had he felt so strong. So invincible. “My thanks. What can I offer you in return?”
She shook her head. “I have everything I want. Everything I need.”
Saintcrow glanced at the priest. “And you?”
“Being able to use my gift is thanks enough.”
“If you ever need anything...”
“You have my blood in your veins,” Mara said. “I will always know where you are, should I need you.”
“Yeah,” he said. And wondered if that was such a good idea.
Bending down, Mara kissed him on the cheek. “Good luck dealing with the rest of your problem,” she said, with a grin. “Come, Father, Logan is home waiting for me.”
The priest made the sign of the cross over Saintcrow’s head and then he and Mara vanished.
Saintcrow sat there for a long time. Where did he go from here? Elowynne’s magical power had been banished. His blood was no longer tainted.
The playing field was now even.
Chapter Nineteen
Kadie was waiting for him when he got home, as he’d known she would be. Eyes narrowed, she looked him over from head to toe when he materialized in the living room. “You’re all right?”
“Never better,” Saintcrow said, drawing her into his arms. “How about you?”
“I’m fine now.” She lifted her face for his kiss, her eyelids fluttering down as his tongue teased hers. For a moment, time stood still as she lost herself in the sheer pleasure of being in the arms of the man she loved more than life, touching him, tasting him. She sighed when he lifted his head, reveling in the aftermath of the sensations he never failed to arouse. And then reality returned. “I was worried to death about you. I got the strangest images and feelings while you were gone. And pain.” Her gaze searched his. “Are you sure you’re all right.”
Taking her by the hand, he led her to the sofa, sat, and pulled her down beside him. “I met a legend,” he said, his thumb stroking her palm.
“A legend?”
“Yeah. Her name is Mara.”
“How did you find her?”
“I didn’t. She found me. It seems one of the witches gave her some of my blood and she tracked me.”
“Why?”
“Apparently we have a mutual acquaintance who told her I was in trouble.”
“Really? Who?”
“I’m thinking Oriana.”
Kadie nodded.
“Mara brought a friend with her. A vampire who was a former priest.”